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Dollar Index

The dollar fell against a basket of other major currencies on Thursday, after data showed that he U.S. economy added fewer jobs than expected last month data, dampening expectations for a rate hike.

The Labor Department reported that the economy added 223,000 jobs in June, compared to expectations for jobs growth of 230,000. May’s figure was revised down to 254,000 from 262,000 previously.

The unemployment rate ticked down to 5.3% last month, from 5.5% in June. Economists had expected the jobless rate to decline to 5.4%.

A separate report showed that the number of individuals filling for initial jobless benefits in the week ending June 27 increased by 10,000 to 281,000 from the previous week’s total of 271,000. Analysts had expected initial jobless claims to fall by 1,000 to 270,000 last week.

The euro's gains were capped however, as Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Wednesday urged Greeks to reject an international bailout deal in a referendum due to be held on July 5, souring hopes of any breakthrough.

The pound was steady, with GBP/USD at two-and-a-half week lows of 1.5615.

Elsewhere, the dollar was steady against the yen, with USD/JPY at 123.10 and lower against the Swiss franc, with USD/CHF slipping 0.18% to 0.9469.

The Australian and New Zealand dollars were weaker, with AUD/USD down 0.41% at 0.7613 and with NZD/USD retreating 0.62% to fresh five-year lows of 0.6693.

The U.S. dollar Index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was down 0.20% at 96.28.

The dollar turned lower against the other major currencies on Tuesday, after data showed that U.S. unit labor costs rose more than expected in the second quarter, while non-farm productivity came in below forecasts.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Tuesday that Unit labor costs increased by0.5% in the three months to June, above forecasts for a gain of 0.1% and following rise of 2.3% in the first quarter.

The report also said that non farm business sector labor productivity increased by 1.3% in the second quarter, missing expectations for a gain of 1.6%. The previous quarter’s figure was revised to a drop of 1.1% from a previously reported fall of 3.1%.

The dollar has strengthened earlier in the day, after China devalued the yuan in an attempt to help exporters after a recent spate of disappointing economic data.

Analysts had expected the index to rise by 2.3 points to 32.0 in August.

Separately, a Greek official said early Tuesday that his government had completed talks with creditors over a deal setting out the terms of a third bailout, with some details remaining.

The U.S Dollar Index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was down 0.18% at 97.05.

The dollar erased losses against the other major currencies in quiet trade on Friday, as it recovered from the Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates this month.

EUR/USD dropped 0.52% to 1.1375, after rising to four-week highs of 1.1460 earlier in the session.

The dollar had weakened broadly after the Fed kept interest rates unchanged on Thursday, but losses were limited as the central bank left open the possibility of a rate hike later this year.

Speaking after the rate statement, Fed Chair Janet Yellen said global economic developments played a major part in the central bank's decision.

In deciding when to raise interest rates, the Fed repeated it wanted to see "some further improvement in the labor market" and be "reasonably confident" that inflation will increase.

The dollar was lower against the yen, with USD/JPY down 0.15% at 119.82.

Earlier Friday, the minutes of the Bank of Japan's August policy meeting revealed that the central bank must be vigilant to the risk of a decline in exports from a prolonged slowdown in China and other emerging economies.

Board members also said that the weakness in Japan's output and exports was temporary.

Elsewhere, the dollar was steady against the pound and the Swiss franc, with GBP/USD at 1.5595 and with USD/CHF at 0.9597.

The Australian and New Zealand dollars were stronger, with AUD/USD up 0.63% at 0.7220 and with NZD/USD advancing 0.91% to 0.6405.

In Canada, data on Friday showed that the consumer price index was flat last month, compared to expectations for a 0.1% uptick. On a yearly basis, consumer prices rose 1.3% in August, in line with expectations.

The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was up 0.15% at 94.79, off three-and-a-half week lows of 94.20 hit earlier in the day.

The dollar was almost unchanged near one-month lows against the other major currencies in quiet trade on Tuesday, as declining expectations for a U.S. rate hike this year continued to dampen demand for the greenback.

The dollar was steady against the euro, with EUR/USD at 1.1366.

The euro's gains were held in check however; as the ZEW Centre for Economic Research said its index of German economic sentiment fell to a one-year low of 1.9 this month from 12.1 in September, well below economist’s forecasts for a reading of 6.0.

It was the sixth consecutive monthly decline.

A separate index, measuring current conditions dropped to 55.2 from 67.5 points in September, compared to expectations for a drop to 64.7.

Meanwhile, the greenback remained under pressure after the minutes from the Federal Reserve's September policy meeting, published last week, reinforced expectations that U.S. interest rates will remain on hold until well into 2016.

The dollar was also lower against the yen, with USD/JPY slipping 0.13% to 119.87.

Demand for the safe-haven yen strengthened after official data released earlier Tuesday showed that Chinese imports tumbled 20.4% in September on a year-over-year basis, the eleventh straight monthly decline.

Exports fell by a smaller than forecast 3.7% from a year earlier, resulting in a trade surplus of $60.34 billion.

The weak data underlined concerns over weakening demand for the world’s second largest economy.

Elsewhere, the dollar was higher against the pound, with GBP/USD down 0.77% at 1.5229 but was lower against the Swiss franc, with USD/CHF shedding 0.26% to 0.9603.

Sterling was hit after data on Tuesday showing that the U.K. fell back into negative inflation in September dampened expectations for higher interest rates from the Bank of England.

The U.K. Office for National Statistics said the rate of consumer price inflation fell to -0.1% last month, from 0.0% in August. Analyst had expected a flat reading in September.

The Australian and New Zealand dollars were weaker, with AUD/USD down 0.97% to 0.7291 and with NZD/USD declining 0.45% to 0.6687.

Meanwhile, USD/CAD edged up 0.11% to trade at 1.3012.

The U.S. dollar index which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies was steady at 94.91, the lowest level since September 18.

The dollar trimmed losses against the other major currencies on Monday, and continued to hover near seven-month highs as Friday's strong U.S. employment data continued to lend broad support to the greenback.

USD/JPY added 0.13% to trade at 123.30, the highest level since August 21.

The greenback strengthened broadly after the Labor Department reported that the U.S. economy added 271,000 jobs last month, well ahead of the 180,000 expected by economists and the largest increase since December.

The unemployment rate fell to a seven-and-a-half year low of 5.0%.

The robust data paved the way for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates at its December meeting, a move that would make the dollar more attractive to yield-seeking investors.

The jobs data came after Fed Chair Janet Yellen said that the U.S. economy was performing well, and that December would represent a “live possibility” for raising interest rates if economic data supported it.

EUR/USD was steady at 1.0743, re-approaching Friday’s seven-month trough of 1.0701 after rising to highs of 1.0790 earlier in the day.

The euro weakened after Reuters reported that the European Central Bank could cut its deposit rate deeper into negative territory at its December meeting.

Separately, the Euro group of finance ministers were holding talks in Brussels to discuss the condition of the euro zone economy and Greece’s bailout.

Elsewhere, the dollar was lower against the pound and the Swiss franc, with GBP/USD adding 0.26% to 1.5091 and with USD/CHF edging down 0.21% to 1.0042, pulling away from Friday’s eight month highs of 1.0075.

The Australian dollar was steady, with AUD/USD at 0.7043, while NZD/USD added 0.15% to 0.6530.

Meanwhile, USD/CAD fell 0.13% to trade at 1.3289.

The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was down 0.09% at 99.20, just below Friday’s seven-month highs of 99.29.

The dollar was little changed against the other major currencies on Wednesday, hovering close to a seven-month peak as growing expectations for a U.S. rate hike before the end of the year continued to support the greenback.

USD/JPY was steady at 123.12, still close to Friday's three-month highs of 123.61.

The greenback remained supported as last week's strong U.S. employment data paved the way for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates at its December meeting.

The unemployment rate fell to a seven-and-a-half year low of 5.0%.

EUR/USD was little changed at 1.0717, off the previous session's seven-month trough of 1.0672.

The euro remained under pressure after Reuters reported on Monday that the European Central Bank could cut its deposit rate deeper into negative territory at its December meeting.

Elsewhere, the dollar was lower against the pound, with GBP/USD up 0.40% at 1.5178 and was steady against the Swiss franc, with USD/CHF at 1.0063.

The number of people claiming unemployment benefits rose by 3,300 in October, compared to expectations for an increase of 1,500.

Wage growth including bonuses rose by 3.0% in the three months to September, the ONS said, matching the increase in the previous three month period and below forecasts for rise of 3.2%.

Excluding bonuses, wages rose by 2.5%, below expectations for 2.7% after a 2.8% increase in the three months to August.

The Australian and New Zealand dollars were stronger, with AUD/USD rising 0.39% to 0.7057 and with NZD/USD gaining 0.46% at 0.6560.

Meanwhile, USD/CAD slipped 0.10% to trade at 1.3261, still within close distance of Friday's one-month peak of 1.3316.

The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was little changed at 99.25, not far from Tuesday's seven-month highs of 99.60.

The dollar was little changed at an eight-month peak against the other major currencies on Thursday, as trading volumes were expected to remain thin with U.S. markets closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.

USD/JPY edged down 0.16% to 122.56.

The greenback remained broadly supported after a string of upbeat U.S. data on Wednesday added to expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates next month.

The U.S. Commerce Department reported on Wednesday that new home sales rose by 10.7% to 495,000 units last month, compared to expectations for a gain of 6.0% to 500,000.

The report came shortly after the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending November 21 declined by 12,000 to 260,000 from the previous week’s revised total of 272,000.

Data also showed that U.S. durable goods orders jumped by 3.0% last month, easily surpassing forecasts for 1.5%, while core durable goods orders, which exclude volatile transportation items, rose 0.5% in October, compared to expectations for an increase of 0.3%.

EUR/USD held steady at 1.0619 not far from the previous session's seven-month trough of 1.0564.

Sentiment on the euro has remained frail since European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said last Friday that the bank is ready to act quickly to boost inflation in the euro zone and can also change the level of its deposit rate to boost the impact of quantitative easing.

Elsewhere, the dollar was little changed against the pound and the Swiss franc, with GBP/USD at 1.5118 and was higher against the Swiss franc, with USD/CHF adding 0.23% to 1.0241.

The Australian and New Zealand dollars were weaker, with AUD/USD down 0.39% at 0.7223 and with NZD/USD edging 0.08% lower to 0.6574.

Meanwhile, USD/CAD eased up 0.08% to 1.3298, not far from Monday's two-month high of 1.3437

The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was steady at 99.88, just below Wednesday's eight-month peak of 100.21

The dollar rose to a four-month high against a basket of major currencies after the release of data showing U.S. housing starts rose more than expected in June, underpinning a theme of strength in the U.S. economy.

Groundbreaking on U.S. homes surged 4.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 1.19 million units, the Commerce Department said.

After June's jobs report showed U.S. employers added 287,000 jobs, beating expectations by more than 100,000, continued positive data has some investors pricing back in the chances the Federal Reserve will raise U.S. overnight interest rates, analysts said.

Higher interest rates increase a currency's return, making it more attractive to investors.

The dollar index (DXY), which tracks the greenback against six major currencies, rose to 97.126, its highest level since mid-March.

The dollar held steady at a four-month peak against the other major currencies, as investors awaited the Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan’s upcoming meetings and as trading volumes were set to remain light with no major U.S. data to be released throughout the day.

The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was steady at 97.43, just off the fresh four-month highs of 97.62 hit overnight.